Method of and element for use in manufacturing packings



June 24 1924. 1,498,892

C. STEENSTRUP METHOD OF AND ELEMENT FOR USE IN MANUFACTURING PACKINGS Filed Oct. 1. 1921 Va, w W

- 4 V Inventor-z Christian stee nstrup,

/ I" I v H is Attorny.

Patented .lune 24, 19241.

FFHCE.

CHRISTIAN STEENSTRUP, 0F SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

METHOD OF AND ELEMENT FOR USE IN MANUFACTURING rncxmes.

Application filed October 1, 1921; Serial No. 504,815.

To all whbm it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHRISTIAN STEEN- s'rnor, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of and Elements for Use in Manufacturing Packings, of which the following is aspecification.

The present invention relates to packings of the so-termed labyrinth type used to prevent leakage between relatively rotating members and has for its object to provide an improved method of manufacturing packings or packing elements of this general type, and an improved element from which packings may be manufactured.

For a consideration of what I believe to be novel and my invention, attention is directed to the accompanying description and the claims appended thereto.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a strip of material used in carrying out my invention; Fig. 2 is a View, similar to Fig. 1, illustrating a step used in carrying out. my invention wherein the strip of Fig. l is provided with longitudinally extending'spaced slots; Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective views of metallic ribbon used in carrying out my invention, the ribbon forming packing teeth in the complete structure; Fig. 5 is a perspective View showing the ribbon of Figs. 3 and 4 arranged in the slots of the strip -shownin Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is an end View, partly in section, illustrating further steps in carrying out my method; Fig.7 is an end View, and Fig. 8 is a longitudinal view partly in section of a completed pack-v ing element for use on a rotor; Figs. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate steps in forming a surrounding packing element for use on a stator for example; Fig. 12 is a sectional view showing a completed packing element made after the manner illustrated in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, and Fig. 13 shows a further form of packing. f

In carrying out my invention,- I take a 'strip of material 15 of suitable width and thickness and of any desired or the required length as shown in Fig. 1 and out continuous longitudinally extending slots 16 in one face as shown in Fig. 2. These slots may be cut all at the same time by a gang tool and are of a width and depth to receive the metallic ribbon 17 which is to form the packingteeth. The slots are spaced apart a distance to give the desired spacing to the packing teeth. The ribbon 17 comprises thin, continuous strips of suitable metal such as Monel metal, of a width so that when one edge is embedded in aslot 16 the other edge will project a distance beyond the surfaces of the strip 15 to form packing teeth of the desired depth. Two strips are shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and preferably one is provided with a continuous groove 18 on one side adjacent its inner edge and the other is provided with a similar groove 18 on the other side.

Having provided a slotted strip as shown in Fig. 2 and ribbon as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, I then mount the ribbon on the strip with its grooved edge in slots 16 as shown in Fig. 5. Preferably I provide as many ribbons 17 as there are slots 16 in the strip and feed them into the slots all at the same time. This operation may be performed by means of rollers as shown in Fig. 6 and when so performed I provide a smooth lower roller 19 and a grooved upper roller 20, the grooves forming annular projections 21 which correspond to the walls between slots 16. I then pass strip 15 between the rollers at the same time feeding ribbons 17 ed ewise into the grooves in the roller 20 which acts to force the edges of the ribbonsmto slots 16 as shown in Fig. 6. In order to firmly fix the ribbons in slots 16 the material between slots 16 is crushed so as to squeeze the ribbons. Preferably the material between every other pair of slots 16 is crushed to force material into the grooves 18 in ribbons 17. This is the arrangement I now prefer and is the reason for providing grooves 18 on opposite sides of ad acent ribbons 17 since it requires the crushing of the material between every other pair of slots 16 only. This crushing operation may be performed by providing every second projection 21 with a rounded periphery 22 which projects slightly beyond the periphthe crushing and'squeezing in operation,

the rollers being set closer together in the second instance. Or I may provide two sets of rollers, through which the strip and ribbon's pass successively, the first set forcing the ribbons into slots 16 and the second set performing the crushing operation to fix the ribbons in the slots. It will beunderstood, of course, that I may omit the grooves 18 if found desirable and alsothat I may crush the material between each palr of packing teeth instead of between every second pair. The essential thing is that the edges of the ribbons which are to form the packing teeth be firmly gripped or held in slots 16.

After the ribbons have been fastened in slots 16 as described above (such fastening being of a temporary or initial character) I then permanently fasten the ribbons in the slots by fusion of metal, for example by brazing, soldering, welding or the l ke. Preferably I fasten them by copper brazing in the presence of hydrogen. The result is in substance an inte ral or unitary structure comprising a strip 15 from which project spaced teeth formed by ribbons 17. Lengths from this unitary structure may be now used to form or build up packings or packing elements. L

To form a packing element to go on a shaft, I take a suitable number of lengths of the unitary structure and bend them around to form cylinders with the ribbons 17 on the outside. The meeting edges may be fastened together in any suitable manner. I then mount the cylinders side by side directly on a shaft to form a packing of the desired length or I may mount the cylinders thus formed on a sleeve of suitable length to form a packing of the desired length. This is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 wherein 23 indicates the sleeve. The lengths may be rolled around sleeve 23 and fastened thereon or they may be rolled into cylinders first andthen slipped endwise onto the sleeve. After the lengths are in position on the sleeve the are then permanently united thereto an to each other by fusion of metal. The sleeve may be then finished to proper dimensions and keyed or otherwise fastened onto a shaft 24 as shown in Fig. 8.

Figs. 9, IO 'and 11--and 12- illustrate the manner of forming a surrounding packing from lengths of the unitary packing strip. To form a surrounding packing element the length must be bent around with the packin teeth on the inside and to accomplish this without buckling or distortion of the teeth I pass a length between rollers 19 and 20 and at the point where the length leaves the roller I support a tool 25 having a beveled edge 26 in such manner that the length strikes the tool and rides up beveled edge 26 whereby it is bent around to form a curved element. By supporting tool 25 nearer to or further from the rollers the radius of the curve may be made smaller or greater as desired. By this means the proections 21 serve to give lateral support to the ribbons 17 and prevent their distorting or buckling. In general the surrounding packing element is made in halves and I ac cordingly provide curved packing elements as shown in Fig. 10 which are slightly greater than a half circle. I then mount them side by side in a supporting member '27, Fig. 11, and fasten them thereto in any suitable manner, such as by fusion of metal, after which the ends of the packing elements are cut off to, bring them flush with the holder. 1 then have a packing element as shown in Fig. 12 which shows a vertical section through the upper half and the lower half of a surrounding packing.

It is sometimes desirable to have a packing elementin which the teeth are sloping or extend at an angle and in such cases the teeth may be bent at. an angle as shown in Fig. 13 after which the outer corners of the teeth are cut or ground off as shown to give a smooth peripheral surface. I

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the particular method which I now consider to represent the best manner for carrying it out but I desire to have it understood that the particular method disclosed is only illustrative and that the invention may be carried out with such modifications as come Within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. The method of manufacturing a packing which comprises taking a straight strip of material, cutting a slot therein, fastening a ribbon edgewise in the slot, bending the strip to the desired curvature, and then mounting the strip with the ribbon fastened thereto on a carrying member.

2. The method of manufacturing a packing which comprises taking a straight stri of material having a longitudinally exten ing slot therein, fastening a ribbon edgewise in the slot, bending the strip to the desired curvature, mountmg the curved strip with the ribbon fastened thereto on a carrying member, and uniting the whole by fusion of metal.

3. The method of manufacturing a packing which comprises taking a strai ht strip of material, cutting a number 0 spaced longitudinally extending slots therein, fastening ribbon ed ewise 1n the slots, bending the strip to the esired curvature, and then mounting the curved strip with the ribbon fastened thereto on a carrying member.

4 The method of manufacturing a packing which comprises taking a straight strip 'of material having a longitudinally extend ing slot therein, mounting a ribbon edgewise slots.

lment from which strip along the sides of the slot to squeeze it 'mto engagement with the ribbon, bending the strip to the desired curvature, and then 10. An element for use in the manufacture.

of packings comprising a continuous straight strip of material and a plurality of spaced ribbons fastened thereon edgewise.

11. An element for use in the manufacture of packings comprising a continuous straight stri of material having longitudinally 'exten ing spaced slots therein and ribbons fas- 'tened edgewise in said slots. in the slot, crushing the material of themounting the curved strip -with-the ribbon fastened thereto on a carrylng member.

6. The method of manufacturing a packing which comprisesrtaking a straight strip of material having spaced longitudinally extending slots therein, mounting ribbon edgewise in the. slots, crushing material adjacent edges of the slots to fasten the ribbon therein, bending the strip to the desired curvature, and mounting the curved strip with the ribbon fastened thereto on a carrying member.

7. The method of manufacturing. an element from which packings may be made which comprises taking a continuous straight strip of material, cutting a longitudinally extending slot therein, and fastening ribbon edgewise in the slot. v v

8. The method of manufacturing an elepackings may be made which comprises taking a continuous straight strip of material, cutting a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending slots therein, and fastening ribbon edgewise in the 9. An element. for use in the manufacture of packings comprising a continuous straight strip of. material ,and'z a ribbon fastened thereto edgewise.

' 12. The method of manufacturing a pack-. ing which comprises taking a straight strip of'material, cuttin a slot therein, fastening a'ribbon edgewise 1n the slot and then formg a-cylindrical member from the strip and ribbon.

13. The method of manufacturing a packing which comprises taking a straight strip of material, cutting a slot therein, fastening a ribbon edgewise in the slot, forming a cylindrical member from .a number of pieces of said strip and ribbon and then uniting them by fusion of metal.

14. The method'of manufacturing apacking which comprises taking a straight strip of material, cutting a number of spaced, longitudinally extending slots therein, fastening a ribbon edgewise in the slots,'and then forming a cylindrical packing member from said strips with the ribbon fastened therein. 7

15. The method of manufacturing a packing which comprises taking a straight strip of material, cutting a number of spaced, longitudinall extending slots therein,

mounting rib on edgewisein the slots, form- I ing a cylindrical member from a number of pieces of said strip and ribbon and uniting them by fusion ofmetal.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 30th day of September, 1921.

CHRISTIAN STEENSTRUP. 

